Strong growth at Tadano

Operating income at Tadano increased by 61.2% for the April 2006 to March 2007 fiscal year compared to the 2005 to 2006 period. That amounted to Yen 12,924 million (US$107 million), an increase of Yen 4,907 million (US$41 million) for the Japanese crane manufacturer.

Net sales were up 19.7% from Yen 120,872 million (US$1.004 billion) to Yen 144,693 million (US$1.202 billion).

The growth followed a sharp increase in the sales of construction cranes in the Middle East and North America, along with replacement demand for domestic cranes. The ratio of overseas sales rose to 42.1%, breaking through the 40% mark for the first time.

According to the company, the outlook for the next fiscal year also looks good, with a forecast net income rise of 44.4% to Yen 11,100 million (US$92 million) against the 2006 to 2007 figure of Yen 7,689 million (US$64 million).

A com p an y s p okesman commented: “Given this prevailing market environment, domestic sales are expected to continue rising due to the strength of ongoing replacement demand for construction cranes, while overseas sales of construction cranes are also expected to remain strong as we continue to focus on expanding sales in Europe as well as the Middle East and North America.

“In Japan, we expect demand for truck loader cranes, however, to decline with the end of the cycle of replacement purchases in response to domestic emission regulations.”

There was also some cause for concern abroad. “Specifically the North Korean issue and the direction of the US economy, along with fluctuating crude oil prices and foreign exchange rates,” the spokesman added.